By Tersoo Kula
A few days ago, I led the media inspection tour of some ongoing developmental projects embarked upon by Rev.. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s administration in the fulfillment of his campaign promises to the people of Benue State
This time, it was Gboko and Vandeikya local Governments. Projects visited were, the ongoing construction of a 36 km Mbawar-Bako-Ngegher-Tyam-Naa to Adikpo; Mede-Mbera-Mbaakon roads where contractors were on-site and work speedily ongoing.
The contractor, Bauhaus Company Limited, has already gone past clearing and refilling of over 16 km.
Members of the benefitting communities are full of joy over the project.
The communities are basically a farming population where families owe hectares of orchards or orange farms.
Mama Ikyaacher Vue said, “I have been married to this community for over 47 years. I know how we suffer to tie our farm produce on bikes in bits to get to the markets. Our oranges get wasted every year because marketers are always afraid of taking risks to ply the paths with their trucks.
“We also lost lives here for reasons of no access roads to quickly move our sick relations to hospitals in either Vandeikya or Ihugh or the neighbouring Cross River State here. But with this road, we shall surely see a different life”.
Others who spoke to the team, including Tarhembe Tyoyila, a farmer informed that many of their economic trees, particularly, orange farms are destroyed in the process, but they are not bothered and are willing to let it go without compensation.
Obviously, these people cannot wait to see these roads completed in their communities.
Project Manager, Bauhaus Company Limited Chardel Thanuas says, the project duration is twenty-four months, adding that the company is ready to deliver within the period.
In Gboko, we met a crowd we later learned, daily, gather to admire the underpass being constructed at the GRA junction often referred to as Gyado Hospital Junction.
Young men and women on sighting the team burst in songs of praise for Alia and his government.
Mr. Isaac Fave and Pauline Zahemen who spoke on cameras urge the Governor to continue delivering infrastructure to them, adding that most of them did not believe such projects will come to Gboko in their lifetime.
